Stuff to look forward to in 2022

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Anthony Dennison — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 22:02:04 GMT

Another boy, my wife is feeling very outnumbered! Arrived a week early by emergency c section and was only 5lb10oz, making up for lost time now though!

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 20:26:36 GMT

[quote userid="11308" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/235806#235806"]Just welcomed our second child into the world[/quote]

Congratulations! Boy or girl? (And what flavour was the first?)

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Anthony Dennison — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 17:00:25 GMT

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/234878#234878"]Being able to communicate freely with colleagues and clients again - working without face mask and visor. [/quote]

I' m going to struggle without wearing a mask - I've been using it for almost 2 years to hide my facial expressions I will have to work harder and contgrolling my outward expression!

After a false start at the beginning of this rugby season where I dislocated my right ring finger 10 minutes in to my second match back after 4 years, I'm currently awaiting surgeyr to correct it because it turns out they didn't put it back in properly and it's been subluxated since September (found out with the consultant in December), I'm hoping to get back playing rugby more often in 2022.

Just welcomed our second child into the world, so the other hope for 2022 is some sleep!

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 11:27:04 GMT

Quick update ... I've been quiet for a few weeks, because daughter has been ill, then in hospital, then the Council got really nasty, so I've had my hands rather full.

But ... VetSurgeon Public Profiles are very nearly ready. Now in final testing and a couple of tweaks to be added. Hope they may be ready in a few days. Or less.

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 17:13:30 GMT

[quote userid="2131" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/235252#235252"]From my slight military training, I think that after lobbing in the grenade you are supposed to charge in while the enemy is still stunned.[/quote]

Ha! With hindsight I wish I had, because what seems to have happened is that they've all rushed to cover their arses (or in the case of their lawyer, be arsey). It is so draining.

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 15:06:01 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/235249#235249"]So now, having lobbed the hand grenade in the room, we step back and see what happens next. [/quote]

From my slight military training, I think that after lobbing in the grenade you are supposed to charge in while the enemy is still stunned.

Perhaps it will be more like the classic Western cliché, where our temporarily baffled hero suddenly finds a store of dynamite conveniently to hand and lobs a bunch of four sticks down the cabin chimney, whereupon after the blast the baddies come staggering out with their hands up, unharmed but coughing.

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Joyce Whitehead — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 14:36:09 GMT

So sorry to hear of the further developments Arlo, I hope the legal threat is enough to make them reconsider. And sympathies on the covid front, it seems to be everywhere. Unvaccinated carer is a nuisance too I’m sure.

My aged mum who has severe dementia is in a care home who have largely avoided major covid outbreaks. However, the wing she is in, with 12 rooms, now has 11 cases of covid. The one without it is my mum. I think she is indestructible. Which is some ways is really sad seeing the way she is surviving nowadays.

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Arlo Guthrie — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 10:15:07 GMT

[quote userid="2122" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/235246#235246"]Further trials involved The Book Man being carted off into A&E at 5 am on Boxing Day having endured escalating agonies from what turned out to be a prostatic abscess,[/quote]

Oh my good god ... bad luck George, hope that clears up soon and that you manage to move your leakage into Hereford soon!

[quote userid="2122" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/235246#235246"]I am certain that I am not alone in wishing and hoping that your desires for the poor lass are realised - and quickly - and with minimal hassle.[/quote]

Thanks George. Very touched. Sadly, it's starting to look increasingly unlikely.

Council/CCG dragging their heels and refusing to commit to a deadline for a decision, which places us at risk of losing the room we have identified for Emily, so on Friday, I wheeled out a very heavy cannon, in the shape of a leading London lawyer to let them know we'll be seeking a judicial review if they don't act in a timely fashion. I gather they don't like judicial reviews much.

Very stressful having to produce a letter chronicling the failures so far, against such a tight deadline, but we did it and I think we have a strong case. So now, having lobbed the hand grenade in the room, we step back and see what happens next.

Meanwhile, Emily fitting away like a dervish, other daughter in isolation with Covid, which means that our unvaccinated carer cant come in and help.

Never rains!! But at least I do see a glimmer of sun coming through the clouds.

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

George Cooper — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 01:36:08 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022"]Erm, praying my daughter will be settled into a residential home this year, without too much of a battle with the council.[/quote]

Arlo - this moved me hugely as I strive to catch up with developments on VS-dot-org. I have followed, as so many on this and VetNurse, the vicissitudes of your family's efforts to cope with such a life limiting blight. More than any of your "plans" for 2022 it produced a welling up of emotion for you and yours, and I am certain that I am not alone in wishing and hoping that your desires for the poor lass are realised - and quickly - and with minimal hassle.

On a personal "Wishlist" of only one item, I yearn to be in receipt of a communication from my legal conveyancing team announcing that the constipation that endures in my 9 month (and growing) wait for completion of the move from rural idyll into Hereford Centre has an end in sight. Having packed kitchen utensils, all window coverings, clothes back last summer when the "date" had been estimated for August Bank Holiday, I sometimes struggle to remember to wrap a bath towel around me merely to descend to the ground floor!! And cooking? I am now proficient in meals for one in a microwave, something that had evaded my living experiences for nigh on a half century.

Further trials involved The Book Man being carted off into A&E at 5 am on Boxing Day having endured escalating agonies from what turned out to be a prostatic abscess, which luckily was identified by the on-duty Medic. It seems that, as a clinical entity, it is nowadays vanishingly rare. There were two sequelae to this episode. Surgery under a General Anaesthetic within hours - following care from a cadre of brilliant nurses, and anaesthetist, and a surgeon who were ALL regular customers of his Bookshelf leading to his comment that "My bum is now Public Knowledge in this town!"

The second is more selfish given that he has an open and draining defect somewhere in his nether regions, and that Grandpa Book is now commuting a 90 minute drive in both directions in order to keep things ticking along. Now - if I had only been able to move house, that commute would have been a leisurely 10 minute stroll... ... ... ... ... ...

The grandsons have vowed to write a book = "How our Christmas was ruined by Dad's Bum - complete with extensive illustrations."!

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Clive Ansell — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 18:40:35 GMT

We get 16-18mbps and it works really well, it is reliable even at busy times and we can stream 2 or 3 films on different devices at the same time with no issues whatsoever.

Also worthy of note, is we get what is advertised. Many broadband providers advertise an up to speed but constantly fail to reach it, folk where I live have endless problems with BT, Sky and Virgin, whereas with Zen, our broadband has never missed a beat.

Zen

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Bob Russell — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 17:41:09 GMT

Not 5G. This is 4G!

Plenty fast enough for everything we need. A tiny bit tempted to ramp up Netflix to HD or UHD just to see if I can make out any difference!

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 17:32:57 GMT

[quote userid="6897" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/235187#235187"]I'm not sure why you would need anything more for 'normal' internet use?[/quote]

I'll bet that is exactly what people said back in 1986 when we had 48kbps dial up modems!

But yes, I think 90mbps will keep you going for a long time.

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

bob lehner — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 17:09:51 GMT

[quote userid="6550" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/235175#235175"]Just taken on a contract with 3 Mobile for mobile internet and getting between 50 and 100Mb/s and everything is working reliably! Why did nobody tell me this is an option for some living in the middle of nowhere? Cheap too![/quote]

We live pretty remotely - no chance of fibre - and our ancient BT landline was giving 1-2 mbs. Luckily EE have recently put up a 4G mast in the farmer's field 200m from our house (and well disguised - AONB). After about 2 months of teething trouble where we couldn't get connected at all despite EE's best efforts, we are now getting up to 90mbs on their mobile broadband with a router in the house. I'm not sure why you would need anything more for 'normal' internet use?

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Stephen Pointing — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 14:21:58 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/235180#235180"]North or South Somerset[/quote]

Thank you for the offer. I'll be living in W. Somerset - close to the edge of Exmoor. I always think of your part of Somerset as E. Somerset. But after retirement the whole of Somerset will be my oyster! We've got 4G down here - not sure when 5G will come. But the internet speeds are absolutely pathetic - certainly during the working day. They improve somewhat after midnight.

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 13:56:41 GMT

[quote userid="13196" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/234946#234946"]retiring back to Somerset.[/quote]

I wonder if that's North or South Somerset? I'm North, if you find yourself in need of a pint!

Gosh, I didn't think 5G was an option in remote areas yet.

Anyway, I'll see your 50mbps and raise you 250mbps!

(and I can turn the wick up to 1gbps if I want!)

Sorry. Showing off now.

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Bob Russell — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 13:31:34 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022"]After waiting a year, fibre broadband next week[/quote]

We have just put up with a road closure to put fibre along the road bordering our fields. Still have the snail speed of 1Mb/s most of the time, improved to the mid-teens if we restart our router. Every time an engineer turns up it goes up to 20 before dropping back a day or two later.

iPlayer buffering is a pain!!

Just taken on a contract with 3 Mobile for mobile internet and getting between 50 and 100Mb/s and everything is working reliably! Why did nobody tell me this is an option for some living in the middle of nowhere? Cheap too!

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Stephen Courtney — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 21:16:17 GMT

I have a sabbatical approved for May, June and July. Covid-dependent am planning 3 months off work with most of it spent in Spain and Portugal. Puedo acampar aqui?

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Stephen Pointing — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 19:17:12 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022"]What is everyone else looking forward to this year?[/quote]

It will be retirement for me - finishing in the Falkland Islands on June 30th this year - and then retiring back to Somerset. It will take some adjusting to after having lived and worked down here for the best part of 20 years now. However, I'll be leaving at a good time because there are lots of celebrations happening down here this year to commemorate the 40th anniversary of liberation and it will reach its peak in June just before I leave. And I've just heard that I will become a grandfather for the first time in July - so something very nice to return to.

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 10:01:39 GMT

[quote userid="3685" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/234932#234932"]I’m hoping temporary, but it likely will be a few years. I guess it depends what state the profession is in when I’m able to return! And also what I kind of hours I can offer![/quote]

It will be interesting to know how easy you find it to reenter.

[quote userid="8858" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/234938#234938"]A vet friend of mine had to go to the high court to get her disabled son into a residential school/ home which will ensure he has residential adult care. Do you have lots of support, I can put you in contact if it might help? [/quote]

Gosh, that's kind Jill, and I might take you up on that. Let's just see what the next few weeks bring. At the moment, it is a situation where - if I can mix my metaphors - I feel like I'm herding headless chickens. And because so much has to be communicated by email, which is such an inflammatory medium, it makes everything ten times worse. Anyway, we have a very, very good lawyer. I just hope things don't have to get that far.

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Jill Butterworth — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 19:44:09 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/234921#234921"]sadly it appears to be heading in the wrong direction at the moment, and I am not sure whether it is because my daughter throws up a rather unique set of challenges, or because of incompetence, or because of some ulterior motive we don't know about (funding). Anyway, I think all will become clear over the next few weeks.[/quote]

A vet friend of mine had to go to the high court to get her disabled son into a residential school/ home which will ensure he has residential adult care. Do you have lots of support, I can put you in contact if it might help?

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Nicola Cole — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 17:27:19 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/234921#234921"]Do you think that is a permanent move, or temporary?[/quote]

I’m hoping temporary, but it likely will be a few years. I guess it depends what state the profession is in when I’m able to return! And also what I kind of hours I can offer!

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Clive Ansell — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 17:17:21 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/234890#234890"]I didn't have you down as that old![/quote]

I'm not :-) 59

My original life plan was to retire at 60, but things have gone a little adrift along the way; going back to school to become a vet, entering a profession that pays peanuts, too much time off travelling and bashing up mountains instead of working etc. Such is life I guess.

I started investing in a pension way back in the 1980's which according to predictions at the time would give me a very comfortable retirement. All sales BS of course, and with various financial crashes along the way it is now worth the square root of diddly squat, and would have done just as well being invested in a standard savings account.

So, as is often the way, what one wants isn't always what one gets, and I'll be beavering away until I drop I guess. Never mind.

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Neil Wheadon — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 13:26:31 GMT

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/234926#234926"]

I'm looking forward to finishing the last few exams and getting my RHS level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture.

No idea what I'm going to do with it!

[/quote]

Well we have a shadey bottom part to our garden.....

Neil

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 13:15:52 GMT

I'm looking forward to finishing the last few exams and getting my RHS level 3 Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture.

No idea what I'm going to do with it!

Also finishing our campervan self-build and then planning to travel as widely as we can. Would love to take her down into Africa.

RE: Stuff to look forward to in 2022

Neil Wheadon — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 11:54:22 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/site-support-discussions/30138/stuff-to-look-forward-to-in-2022/234921#234921"]

Martin Hamilton said:
Here's hoping 2022 sees some return to normality!

Indeed!

[/quote]

In regards travel and doing things, this is something that in my opinion the Convervatives are getting right. If there are guidelines/protocols then all you need to do is follow then. I'm looking to take a trip to Sri Lanka in February, 11 are going and yes there are hoops but it's doable now

So Happy New Year and please get vaccinated, it's turning into the new brexit this issue. (them and us) Please bear in mind if you are not and you clog up an ICU bed then you are affecting those amongst us who need one for major operations to go ahead, something that is affecting our family. It's not just about you. Hopefully Mr Djokovic will be put on that illegal immigrant Island that Australia have used for those trying to enter the country.

Neil